In whose interest? Policy and politics in assisted reproduction.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health Law
• Bioethics
• Public Policy

Background:

• The UK established early comprehensive regulation for embryo research and fertility services.
• The US has faced challenges in controlling its assisted reproduction industry.
• Disparities in regulatory approaches between the UK and US impact global oversight.

Purpose of the Study:

• To interpret the legislative process behind UK's embryo research and fertility services regulation.
• To examine the effectiveness of regulatory measures in the UK and US assisted reproduction industries.
• To analyze the political and social factors influencing regulatory body neutrality and effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of UK and US regulatory frameworks for assisted reproduction.
• Evaluation of legislative and policy initiatives in both countries.
• Examination of the influence of special interests on regulatory bodies.

Main Results:

• UK's early regulation contrasts with US's struggles to control its assisted reproduction industry.
• Regulatory bodies often prioritize special interests, neglecting public health needs and effective strategies.
• Neither national nor international bodies have proactively addressed infertility rates or fertility threats from healthcare/environmental issues.

Conclusions:

• Regulatory bodies for assisted reproduction are not neutral arbiters and are influenced by special interests.
• There's a need for policies that harness the industry for public health, reduce infertility, and address environmental/healthcare threats.
• Activist groups are initiating a transnational reproductive justice movement to challenge current industry practices.